Digital Detox: What 3 Days in Nature Taught Me (and How You Can Recreate It at Home)

Three days with no phone, no laptop, no social media notifications buzzing in my ear. It’s just me, the forest, and goats that became some of my best friends! And I achieved all of this when I visited Hemlock Neversink in Castskills last month to commit a full digital detox. I swapped screen time for barefoot hikes, yoga, forest bathing, goat cuddles, painting under the trees, and even a little moss-gazing. And my nervous system hit reset in a way I didn’t even realize I needed.So I really encourage you to try it, but you don't have to run away to the woods for three days to feel these benefits. I'm going to share what I learned during my retreat and how you can create your own digital detox at home, even if you've only got 15 minutes. Let's plunge in! In this episode, we learn:[03:28] 3 days, no phone, no social media (my digital detox in Hemlock Neversink!)[03:59] Behind the scenes: burnout, grief, and moving to Florida[06:30] How life changes (and Florida's climate shift) increased my digital consumption[09:00] What makes Hemlock Neversink the perfect nature reset?[10:03] Themed retreat days: release, realign, reimagine[10:55] How does time in nature reset your nervous system? sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous system[11:24]  What is Attention Restoration Theory?[13:47] Goat hikes! Meet my new goat best friend![15:22] Give a gift that celebrates their love with every gentle breeze with Wind River Chimes![17:11] Find rooted joy and gentle beauty in your everyday life with A Year of Garden-Inspired Living by Linda Vater![18:37] Painting in nature, crafts, and screen-free creativity![21:29] How I released stress through daily yoga, hikes, and massage[22:42] Restoring with books, moss gazing, and barefoot grounding[25:36] How addicted are we really to our phones?[29:58] My interview with Ryan, Hemlock’s Director of Wellness and Spa![31:35] Why is the nature component so important for healing?[34:23] What are some interesting guest transformations at Hemlock?[37:22] Why intentional resets in nature are so powerful[38:27] What are the most popular activities on Hemlock? (dance hikes, sound baths, breathwork)[42:00] How do you build your own retreat at home? (+Hemlock discount for you!)[50:56] Here’s my gratitude meditation through a song! Mentioned in our conversation:Hemlock NeversinkActivities & Experiences | Hemlock Neversink Hotel & SpaGrowing Joy 255: I Moved 80+ Plants Across the Country: Here's What I LearnedGrowing Joy 267: Create a Biophilic Office Space: Boost Your Workday Motivation by Adding These Plants to Your OfficeGrowing Joy 307: Earthing Explained: The Science of Grounding for Better Sleep, Less Pain, and More Energy with Dr. Gaétan ChevalierGathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall KimmererOpal Want to do a digital detox but don't have the time?Check out the full show notes and blog here for my time-friendly tips! Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Quarto: A Year of Garden-Inspired Living by Linda VaterPreorder A Year of Garden-Inspired Living at quarto.com today or pick it up wherever books are sold, and let the seasons bloom in your life. Follow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.